For starters: Rays vs. O's, with Romero on the mound

UPDATE, 1:08: 3B Evan Longoria was scratched from the lineup around 1 p.m. because he is sick. He hadn't been feeling well for a few days, the team said, and has flu-like symptoms. Kelly Johnson will be at thrid.

UPDATE, 12:49: The Rays, natually, expect good things, from Romero. Chris Archer said he would compare him to Matt Moore coming up for his first start at the end of 2011 and J.D. Martin said to look for 98 mph fastballs. ...Maddon said it was an organizational decision to pick Romero, based on what the minor-league staff felt as much as anything. ... Look for RHP Jesse Crain to be activated and available on Monday. ... Martin is here today to be the long man out of the bullpen if needed.

DEVELOPING: Still scrambling after Friday's 18-inning marathon, the Rays seek to protect their wild-card lead today as they take on the Orioles with 22-year-old lefty Enny Romero making his major-league debut on the mound.

Romero, a hard-thrower, had a solid season at Double-A and made one start at Triple-A. The Rays turned to him after using scheduled Sunday starter Jeremy Hellickson to finish Friday's game.

The Rays start the day with a half-game lead over the Indians and one game over Texas, with eight games left in the season.

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